Yup,,,,I agree with the OldCoot. Teflon on the threads of the anode are also necessary. I had some friends who ignored theirs for a couple years. I thought they were going to rip off the threaded base trying to get the anode unloosened. BTW, Old Coot,,,,is Concord, NC in the Blue Ridge. My wife and I are going to be heading that way next spring for a park host gig.

Concord is east and south of Blue Ridge mountains. About 365 miles west of the outer banks. Suburb of Charlotte.

Just make sure when you remove the anode, you smear some Danco silicone paste on the tank threads to prevent rust. Even after 40+ yrs with trailers, I forgot to do it when we came home from FL this year and had to "chase" the threads to get the anode back in. CRS strikes again.

When I remove the anode rod I replace it over winter with a teflon plug

As is Teflon tape....it is also a lubricant for the threads, not a sealing tape. A RV hot water tank is the same as your home hot water tank, just much smaller. (As far as maintainance goes). Replacing the anode rod is necessary only when it has sacrificed itself. If one is going to leave the rod out all winter, please put a pipe plug in the hole to prevent critters from making a home inside your tank. Draining the tank after each camping trip is un-necessary. But, you can do it if you like!